Xiangyang is the first important town in the Hanshui Basin, and it has been a battleground for soldiers since ancient times.

After Zhu Youlang decided to attack Xiangyang, he immediately sent a sentry to reconnoiter near Xiangyang.

According to the information obtained, the Qing army stationed in Xiangyang was at least 10,000 people, twice the number of Yiling.

From the distribution of troops, it is enough to see that Hu Quancai attaches great importance to Xiangyang.

It would indeed be unwise for the Ming army to attack, and after some discussion with Zhu Youlang and Li Dingguo and other generals, they decided to besiege the city first and cut off the connection between Xiangyang and other cities in the Hanshui Valley.

If you can go to war and strategize, if you can surrender without a fight, it is naturally the best.

The Ming army immediately spread the news, saying that Yiling and Yunyang had been conquered, and persuaded the Qing army in Xiangyang to surrender the city.

The purpose of this move was to interfere with the morale of the Qing army.

Even if the Qing army did not surrender immediately, the mentality of the soldiers would change dramatically.

It's like planting a seed that will take root sooner or later.

As long as there was a split within the Qing army and there was a disagreement, the Ming army had a chance.

After all, Yiling and Yunyang have learned from the past, and the people of Xiangyang do not necessarily support the Qing army.

Surrender in this case is indeed an option.

Of course, this will take time, Zhu Youlang decided to wait for two or three days, and if there is no result, he will start attacking the city.

At most, he could only wait so long, and if he was consumed, the reinforcements of the Qing army might be dispatched to arrive.

Zhu Youlang is now racing against time, and if he takes Xiangyang earlier, he can rest assured that he will attack Jiangling.

...

...

Han Zhaonian, the general soldier of Xiangyang, thought about burning it after seeing the Ming army's letter of persuasion.

Damn, he actually persuaded Lao Tzu to surrender! Lao Tzu eats the Qing Dynasty's Yulu, and he is an official of the Qing Dynasty, can you give it to Lao Tzu if the Qing Dynasty can give it?

He had already delivered the letter to the brazier, but he hesitated.

This is a retreat, does he really want to block the retreat with his own hands?

Although he eats the Great Qing Dynasty, he also has to think about himself.

Is it really worth trapping yourself to defend a city?

may be able to get the title of a loyal martyr, but the title and title can't be eaten, what should his wife and children do?

Now that the Ming army has surrounded Xiangyang, Han Zhaonian roughly estimated that the Ming army had at least 100,000 people.

100,000 to 10,000 has exceeded the balance of offense and defense.

As long as the Ming army really wants to fight, it can take Xiangyang by relying on human lives.

In other words, the Qing army was bound to lose, and it was nothing more than a matter of time.

Han Zhaonian didn't think that his ability to command troops was stronger than Li Dingguo's, nor did he think that he had Zhuge Liang's strategy.

If you really want to fight, you will definitely not escape the end of defeat and death.

It's just for a false name, it's not worth it.

Maybe we can try talking about it first?

What if it happens?

He can give some concessions, and if the Ming army can choose to withdraw, all the problems will be solved.

But Han Zhaonian will not leave a handle on people no matter what.

If the matter is revealed, he will immediately turn his face, and he will not admit it if he is killed.

After all, there is no basis for his words, and even the court can't do anything to him without evidence.

So who should talk?

This person must be Han Zhaonian's henchman, and he will never betray him. After thinking about it, Han Zhaonian still decided to choose his brother-in-law to be this envoy.

His brother-in-law's name is Zheng Kui, and he is very exciting and intelligent.

Han Zhaonian admired him very much, and if he kept him by his side to do things, he could be regarded as a staff member.

This kind of thing that is not humane to outsiders must be done in a hidden and beautiful way, Han Zhaonian is very confident in Zheng Kui.

Just do it!

Han Zhaonian immediately sent someone to find Zheng Kui, and after a while, Zheng Kui came to Han Zhaonian.

"See the Chief Soldier."

Although Zheng Kui is just in his early twenties, he is tall and burly, which is completely different from the image of ordinary weak scholars.

"Oh, Zheng Kui, didn't I tell you, just call me brother-in-law."

Han Zhaonian stepped forward and patted Zheng Kui's shoulder, and said with a smile: "It's all a family, don't be so outside." ”

"Yes, brother-in-law."

Zheng Kui didn't insist either, and shouted along with Han Zhaonian's meaning.

Han Zhaonian was very satisfied.

This Zheng Kui doesn't look young, but he understands the world very well.

Don't say what you shouldn't say, don't ask what you shouldn't ask.

"Zheng Kui, how does your brother-in-law treat you on weekdays?"

"My brother-in-law treats me very well, not only keeping me by his side but also letting me deal with all kinds of government affairs."

Zheng Kui said very seriously.

"Then now that my brother-in-law is in trouble, can you help my brother-in-law?"

"What's wrong with my brother-in-law? Whatever you have to do with it, just tell me. ”

"Well, here's the thing. The Ming thief led his troops to attack Huguang. Not long ago, Yunyang and Yiling were breached. ”

Han Zhaonian deliberately stopped for Zheng Kui to digest and digest.

"Now the thieves have invaded Xiangyang again. Brother-in-law, I have already made plans to die, but my brother-in-law is afraid that your sister and you will be hurt, so he wants to see if there is any other way. ”

"Is my brother-in-law trying to make peace?"

"Shh

Seeing Zheng Kui say it so loudly, Han Zhaonian was startled and hurriedly went to close the door.

Fortunately, there were only two of them in the house, otherwise it would have been better if this had been heard.

"It's not peace, it's negotiation."

Han Zhaonian emphasized: "The two sides put forward their own conditions for negotiations, and the talks were very happy. If you can't talk, you will start fighting. ”

Zheng Kui said in his heart, isn't it still to seek peace.

The Ming army is still negotiating, talking about a fart.

The basis of the negotiations is that both sides have sufficient strength to sit down and find a solution that is acceptable to both parties.

And now the Qing army is clearly the weak side.

Why should the Ming army negotiate with you when he can get what he can get by reaching out.

Unless Han Zhaonian took the initiative to make peace.

Zheng Kui's mind was racing rapidly, and he thought for a long time before he asked tentatively, "What do you think about that brother-in-law?" What's the bottom line? ”

"Well, naturally, thieves can't break the city. What they want, we can provide..."

In Han Zhaonian's opinion, as long as the city of Xiangyang is not broken, the imperial court will not ask him for guilt.

As for the lack of money, it doesn't matter at all, just find a reason to prevaricate.

"In this case, it is definitely necessary for a person to go to the Ming army. Brother-in-law, have you thought about it? ”

Han Zhaonian patted Zheng Kui's shoulder and said, "Brother-in-law thinks you are very suitable." ”

Zheng Kui was stunned when he heard this.

Speaking of which, how can he refuse?

He swallowed a mouthful of spit, and forced a smile on his face: "I heard that the thief is extremely cruel, if I go..."

"Phew!"

Han Zhaonian knew that Zheng Kui was going to bargain, so he grabbed his mouth and said, "You are a messenger, what is there to be afraid of." If the Ming army hurts you, I will fight to the death! ”

Zheng Kui had no choice but to nod.

"Then I'll try it."

"Do a good job, brother-in-law is optimistic about you!"

Han Zhaonian squinted his eyes and said very slyly.

...

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